How to install vinyl flooring: glue down or choose the Click system?
Vinyl flooring can be installed in two main ways. The choice depends not only on preference, but first of all on the construction of the covering you have chosen and the condition of the subfloor. Below we look at both methods, the key requirements for the subfloor, and the mistakes that most often lead to deformation or gaps between planks.
Two methods: glue-down vinyl and the Click system
Glue-down (dryback) – 345 items. Thin planks, usually 2–2.5 mm thick, are bonded directly to the subfloor across the whole surface. This is a stable and quiet solution, particularly suitable for underfloor heating, because there is no additional floating layer between the covering and the subfloor. However, this method places higher demands on the levelness and preparation of the subfloor, so without experience the work is better entrusted to a professional.
Click system – 202 items. Rigid SPC planks, usually 4–6 mm thick, lock into one another and are laid as a floating floor – they are not bonded to the subfloor. This method is generally faster, and on a properly prepared subfloor the flooring can be laid yourself. Some collections have an underlay already integrated into the plank; this should always be checked in the product description or the manufacturer's instructions.
Which to choose? If the subfloor is very level and you want a stable, quiet and long-lasting covering, glue-down vinyl is worth choosing. If faster installation matters and you want a floating floor, the Click system may be the better option.
Subfloor requirements
Proper subfloor preparation is one of the most important stages of a quality vinyl floor installation.
- Levelness: a deviation of no more than 2 mm over 2 metres is usually permitted. The exact requirements depend on the manufacturer and the collection. Thin glue-down vinyl reveals even small irregularities in the subfloor. Rigid SPC is somewhat more tolerant of minor unevenness, but the subfloor still has to be sufficiently level.
- Screed moisture must meet the requirements of the flooring, adhesive and subfloor manufacturers. Moisture should be measured with a suitable method before installation.
- Cleanliness and soundness. Dust, old adhesive residue, flaking paint and weak layers of the subfloor must be removed. The adhesive has to bond to a sound, properly prepared surface.
- Room and subfloor temperature must comply with the installation instructions of the specific manufacturer. Work is usually carried out at normal residential room temperature.
For more on the stages of the work, see the article „Subfloor preparation for floor coverings“.
Acclimatisation before installation
Before laying vinyl flooring, the packs must be kept in the room according to the specific manufacturer's instructions. In most cases around 48 hours is recommended, but the exact time can differ from product to product.
Vinyl flooring responds to changes in temperature, so a covering that has been stored cold should not be laid immediately after delivery. Proper acclimatisation reduces the risk of deformation and of gaps opening between planks.
Expansion gap around the perimeter
Floating Click floors need an expansion gap at walls and other fixed structures. It is usually around 5–8 mm, but the exact figure must be checked in the installation instructions for the particular collection. The gap is later covered by the skirting.
The flooring must not be pressed tight against pipes, thresholds, door frames or other fixed elements. At door frames it is usually neater to undercut the bottom of the frame and slide the plank underneath, rather than cutting the plank to the exact shape of the frame.
Underfloor heating
548 items in the catalogue are suitable for laying over underfloor heating. The technical requirements of the specific product should always be checked before installation.
- the maximum permitted floor surface temperature for most vinyl coverings is +27 °C, but the specific manufacturer's instructions must be followed;
- before installation the underfloor heating system must be prepared in line with the requirements of the flooring and heating system manufacturers;
- after installation the temperature should be raised gradually;
- no underlay is used beneath glue-down vinyl – the covering is bonded directly to a properly prepared subfloor.
What installation costs
Labour starts at €12/m². The lowest price usually applies to laying a Click covering on an already prepared subfloor. Installing glue-down vinyl costs more, as the work takes longer and the demands on the subfloor are higher. The final price depends on the area, the geometry of the room, the condition of the subfloor and the chosen laying pattern.
Vinyl flooring prices start at €25/m². Levelling the subfloor where required, adhesive or underlay and skirtings are costed separately. For vinyl coverings we offer WAKOL D 3125 (LVT, €120), WAKOL D 3330 (PVC and LVT, €210) and universal WAKOL D 3360 adhesive (€65 for 6 kg) – the full range of adhesives and primers.
An example for a 20 m² room: flooring at €25/m² – €500, installation from €12/m² – from €240, with the necessary materials and subfloor preparation costed in addition. We can prepare an exact quote for your room based on the area or a floor plan.
Five of the most common mistakes
- The covering is laid without following the manufacturer's acclimatisation requirements – gaps or deformation may appear.
- The subfloor is not levelled sufficiently – irregularities show through and the joints may suffer.
- No expansion gap is left – a floating floor may deform.
- The manufacturer's permitted surface temperature for underfloor heating is exceeded – the covering may be damaged.
- Glue-down vinyl is laid on a subfloor that is too damp or improperly prepared – adhesion may deteriorate and the covering may lift.
What to do next
Choose your covering: all vinyl flooring from €25/m², rigid SPC with the Click system, flexible glue-down LVT, vinyl flooring in stock, delivery in 1–3 working days.
Not sure which installation method suits your room? Send us a photo of the subfloor and the area. We will assess whether additional levelling is needed and calculate the quantity of materials required. Flooring samples can be viewed in our showroom at T. Ševčenkos g. 19, LT-03111, Vilnius.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install vinyl flooring myself?
Rigid SPC with the Click system can be laid yourself on a properly prepared and level subfloor. Glue-down vinyl is better entrusted to a professional, as the subfloor has to be prepared correctly, the right adhesive chosen, its open time observed and the covering properly rolled.
Do I need an underlay under vinyl flooring?
No underlay is used beneath glue-down vinyl – the covering is bonded directly to the subfloor. For Click flooring the need for an underlay depends on the particular product: some collections have an integrated underlay, others require a separate underlay recommended by the manufacturer. This is stated in the product description and the installation instructions.
How long does vinyl need to acclimatise before installation?
Around 48 hours in the room where the covering will be laid is often recommended, but the installation instructions of the specific manufacturer must always be followed.
What gap should I leave at the walls?
For Click flooring an expansion gap of roughly 5–8 mm is usually left around the whole perimeter. The exact figure is given in the instructions for the particular collection. Glue-down flooring does not need the expansion gap typical of floating floors.
Can vinyl be laid over underfloor heating?
Yes, if the particular collection is designed for it. At present our catalogue has 548 such items. The maximum surface temperature specified by the manufacturer and the other installation requirements must be observed.
How much does vinyl floor installation cost?
Labour starts at €12/m². Laying a Click covering on a prepared subfloor usually costs less, glue-down more. Subfloor levelling, adhesive or underlay and skirtings are costed separately.